Jagdish R Sharma
Coexistence is key to a prosperous and peaceful life. Accepting the competencies and weaknesses of others make us happy and cheerful. The family is the fundamental unit of society. To enjoy life to its full, one needs a well-knit and fundamentally strong family, that cares and has empathy. The Shiv Parivar or family is an exciting and perfect example of Hindu tradition and beauty of Sanatan Dharma. This year, MahaShivratri is being celebrated all over the world on 8th March 2024. On this auspicious day of MahaShivratri, let us try to know the dress, temperament, looks and actions of each family member, who live with mutual love, and respect and are firmly united, though having diverse natures. The essence of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam -the whole world is one family ,is also manifested here The Ardhnareshwar form of Shiva symbolises that life represents the synthesis of masculine and feminine energies of the universe (Purusha and Prakriti) and illustrates how Shakti, the female principle of God, is inseparable from Shiva, the male principle of God, and vice versa..
Most of the time Shiva remains away from the mundane world and remains in a state of penance. He is a destroyer of all things, as well as associated with creation. Destruction and creation are inextricably linked-one cannot exist without the other-making Shiva particularly important. The cycle of life and death, creation and destruction goes on .SonKartikeya being a warrior protects humanity from evil forces and devils, Lord Ganesha is worshipped first and is a remover of obstacles. Whereas Maa Parvati is kind-hearted and takes care of our well-being.
Bhagwan Shiva is the Yogi (renunciate), three eyed and dresses in tiger skin and snakes and scorpions for ornaments. The body is covered with ash while Maa Parvati, dresses beautifully along with bejewelled ornaments and is like a devoted wife. The elder son Lord Kartikeya is a warrior, and the younger son Lord Ganesha is a remover of obstacles(Viganharta). Their carriers are also inimical to each other, (as per the biological food chain). Kartikeya’s peacock is an enemy of Shiva’s snakes and would never spare them. While Parvati’s lion always wants Shiva’s bull to satisfy his hunger. Ganesha’s mouse is small and no match to Shiva’s bull or Parvati’s lion, still holds its importance in the family. Snake would also like to eat mouse. Their carriers also have differences in their habits and habitat. The mouse lives underground while Kartikeya’s peacock flies and the lion lives in a cave. All the family members and their carriers have different food preferences, likes and dislikes, skills, capabilities and aims, yet there is no conflict.
According Hindu scriptures, Bhagwan Shiv loves kand-mool . His favourites include bhang, dhatura, milk, thandai and sweets white in colour. Whereas, Lord Ganesha love sweets and ladoos, moudaks. Maa Parvati likes anything that is made of rice, rice kheer and rice pancakes. Kartikeya likes sweets and yellow colour.
This way, all of them are giving a message of living intelligently, mobilising good qualities, and having empathy. Being empathetic means having an open mind and accepting these unique differences. From this, we can learn to accept those who are around us and appears to be our opposite. We can get to know that person better. If we try to find out more about him or her, then we can have a better understanding. Accept people and things as they are without judgment or harbouring negative feelings such as fear, anger, and resentment.
Currently, people are stressed out and suffering from depression due to undesired situations. They fail to dovetail with the conditions and people around them. Such people should learn from the Shiva family, the fundamentals of happy living. The members of the Shiva family wouldn’t like others to change their behaviour or habits yet accept them as they are.
Happiness and satisfaction are plus points of a family. Studies have shown that spending time with family can help reduce stress and anxiety, lead to a healthier lifestyle, and lengthen your life. Even spending time with your pets also reduces your stress level in your life. Family is such a God-given gift that gives you the motivation to be beneficial and sacrifice something to make others happy and be the best version of yourself.
The mantra of a satisfied and peaceful life is acceptance. It is the ability to see that others have a right to be their unique persons. That means having a right to their feelings, thoughts, and opinions. When you accept people as they are. You won’t desire to change them. You let them feel the way they want to feel, you let them be different and think differently from you. Everyone is different in one way or another. Once you understand this truth, you can stop trying to change them into the people you want them to be and start accepting them for who they are.
Acceptance of others’ feelings is not easy when people act differently than we do. We all have ego problems accepting others who are different. We need to learn and develop empathy in ourselves so we will be better able to understand ourselves and those who are different from us. It will also take away all conflicts arising in the family and society.
One should ingrain the following traits to enjoy a family and social life devoid of depression and stress. We can seek help from the old and wise. Eradicate ignorance, don’t comply with idiots and discourage factionalism and enmity. Be stable, don’t join an unjust fight. Stick to truthfulness and integrity and dissociate from jealousy. More importantly, lead a peaceful and exemplary life. Be kind and helpful to all. Moreover , avoid any type of addiction to smoke and drugs.
Diversity is fundamental to the Indian way of life. India’s great civilisation is based on diversity in nature and culture. Our first identity is as Earth citizens, an Earth family (VasudhaivaKutumbakam), sharing the planet with other species. Our rich Indian culture doesn’t impose itself being Anthropocentrism, of separation from and superiority over other species. The main crux of our shastras is that all living things have an equal right to live on this planet as an individual. That may be the basics of a shiva family that all live happily yet are diverse. Animals have also importance in their family and are loved also. That is why Shiva is known for Satyam ShivamSundaram ?The Truth is God, (Shiva ) and the (God)Shiva is the Beautiful.
(The writer is formerly Principal JK School
Education Department).